The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today received his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, at the Ministry's headquarters, with whom he was able to analyse developments in the Middle East conflict, the recent ceasefire in Lebanon, and Iraq's mediation efforts to contain regional escalation. The ministers also pledged to boost bilateral relations and the presence of Spanish companies in Iraq.
The meeting took place within the framework of Mohamed Shia' Al Sudani's trip to Spain, the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to our country. However, for Minister Albares, today's encounter is the third in 2024 with his Iraqi counterpart after the meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in July and his trip to Baghdad in January.
As on previous occasions, discussions have focused on the Middle East conflict. Albares acknowledged Iraq's role in mediation thanks to its long-standing relationship with all regional actors, particularly Iran, key to containing regional escalation. They also discussed the ceasefire in Lebanon, the need for continued support for UNRWA, and the two-State solution as a way to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Bilateral meetings
The ministers pledged to boost bilateral and economic relations. Spain appreciates the Iraqi Government's efforts to open channels for a greater presence of Spanish companies in the country. In this regard, the agreement on financial cooperation, signed yesterday between the two nations, will further facilitate bilateral exchanges.
Albares also reminded his counterpart that Spain is firmly committed to Iraq's sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity. Therefore, within the Global Coalition against Da'esh, we are the main contributor to the NATO Training Mission, with 156 military personnel deployed in the country to fight terrorism and strengthen Iraqi security forces.
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